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St Mary's
Church Almondsbury
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To know God, build up each
other as Christians, and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to our neighbours |
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Home | Services | Mid-week | Children & Youth | Community | Groups | Who's
Who | Gallery | Links | Find Us |
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ÒA Life Worth LivingÓ Sermon Series |
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Sermon 2: New Purpose |
Philippians 1:12-30 Spread
the Gospel
(v12) |
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Unemployment is painfully partly because a
person feels worthless, not being able to make a contribution. One reason that the Christian life is joyful and
positive is that we have a great job to do: to spread the gospel. (v18) Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed. 1.
Spreading the gospel elicits a reaction For Paul it was suffering. ÔMy imprisonment is for ChristÕ (v13) ÔHe has graciously granted you the privilege
not only of believing in Christ, but also suffering for him as wellÕ (v29) St Paul suffered hardship from those outside the
Church and those outside the Church. Those outside of the Church have imprisoned him,
presumably because the gospel is a threat. The gospel is always a threat the peoples
lifestyles. Perhaps increasingly so is a more post Christian liberal society. He also received opposition from inside the
Church out of envy and rivalry. When we are criticised by other Christians we
should listen carefully and weigh their opinion. But they are not necessarily
right. Sometimes, for whatever reason, spreading the gospel will draw
opposition from Church members. St Paul saw his suffering as a privilege, and
rejoiced that it helped to spread the gospel (v12). The way he bore his
suffering was a powerful witness and it gave him opportunity to speak to a
captive audience – his guards. The gospel is a powerful force: it provokes a
reaction, sometimes negative. It is also a powerful force for good. 2. Spreading the gospel populates heaven ÔFor to me living is Christ, dying is gainÕ (v21) Dying is gain – St Paul is not negative
about this earthly life. ÔHe is hard pressed between the twoÕ (life and death (v23).
He uses joy 16 times for this life. No matter how good this life is, death is the
gateway to something better. Why? ÔMy desire is to depart and be with Christ,
for that is far betterÕ (v23) For the Christian, death ushers us into the
immediate presence of the Lord Ôtoday you will be with me in paradiseÕ. (For Paul, who was to die a martyr for the
faith, death would be his crowning service for Jesus). Can we do anything more for a person than to
lead them to Christ? Not just for the blessings of this world, but also for
the age to come. But how can we spread the gospel? 3. Spreading the gospel by living worthily
and speaking We need to keep the balance between living
worthily of Jesus Christ and speaking for him ÔLive your life worthy of the gospel of
Christ (v27) This is necessary to prove the authenticity of
our claim that we have new life in Jesus Christ. If we have a new heart (last
week) there should be evidence in lives changed for the better. There should
be the beauty of holy living. It is by this that Paul will know that hey are
Ôstanding firm in one spiritÕ and Ôstriving for the faith of the gospelÕ. This is a witness to their opponents; it is, Ôevidence
of their destruction, of your salvationÕ. But this will never be enough it itself. Some
may wish to find what we have found, but how can they do that without being
told about Christ. How are they to believe in one of whom they have never
heard?
(Romans 10:14) ÔSpeak the word with greater boldness and
without fearÕ
(v14) The word is to Ôproclaim ChristÕ. (v15,16,17,18). We are to tell people about Jesus Christ,
particularly his death and resurrection. |
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Contact
the Church Office Rev. Philip W. Rowe, Vicar of Almondsbury and
Olveston with Aust |
Email the Website Administrator |
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